John Herschel discovered NGC 1865 = h2794 on 23 Dec 1834 and recorded "vF, pL, R, vglbM, 45"." His position (measured on 3 sweeps) is accurate. James Dunlop possibly discovered this cluster earlier in 1826 and described for D 173, "a small faint nebula, 12" diameter." He made a single observation and his position is 6.4' NE of the cluster. Herschel noted the possible equivalence with D 173.

600/800mm - 24" (4/5/08 - Magellan Observatory, Australia): at 200x this LMC cluster was fairly bright, fairly large, round, 1' diameter with a weak concentration and no resolution. It has a symmetrical appearance like a globular. Located 5' SE of the bright cluster NGC 1863.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb